[Jewelry making - Article 00208] - Re: [Orchid] Do small butane soldering torches work?

[Gail Smith]

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    I am a tool hound. I currently have 5 torches: 1 for
    glass,oxypropane little, oxyacetylenen litttle, oxyacetylene
    cutting/welding, self igniting butane, and self igniting propane. My
    favorite for silver is the Self-igniting propane. I learned to
    solder on gas-air large torches (a common propane torch i.e. $15 is
    the most similar) I still find it is the best torch for annealing,
    and while jigging things up so you don't have to hold something in a
    tweezer takes time, it still my preferred torch for soldering- the
    joins are stronger since you're not holding the piece or tweezer and
    transmitting "solder shake" (like holding a camera for a long
    exposure) It's not that good for gold, and probably wouldn't be good
    for argentium silver (I don't Know- I haven't tried it yet- Curses)
    Silver is so heat conductive you want a big flame, and both pieces
    that are being soldered have to be the same temperature.  I also
    find I get very little firescale this way, compared to oxypropane
    small torch and cooking one spot to get it to solder. The butane
    torches have a comfortable feel, but the flame is too small for much
    more than soldering links in a chain.  If it takes half an hour to
    heat something to soldering temp, you need a bigger+/or hotter
    flame. I've even cast with it , tho only small amounts (1oz or less)
    of silver.  Note- Gold is a whole other story. 


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